Tippy Toes and Tantrums

My Week of Guilt-Free Indulgence

Sad Snowman, deliberately droopy, as designed by Rocket

No surprise, I was hit with the post-Christmas Ebola. I knew that the race to get everything just right for the holidays would leave me totally drained on Dec. 26, but I didn't expect to have an awful cold and sore throat too. In a small way, it was fine because while I'd rather not have been sick, it forced me to do nothing. I took a nap, I moved from family room to the bedroom and back, and I watched TV, all without guilt, which was great.

By Tuesday, I started to feel better, but my outlook had shifted. Maybe this is the one week out of the year that I could do as close to nothing as possible...without any guilt. A week-long vacation during other times of the year are relaxing, but life is going on like normal all around, keeping up the reminder of what is being missed or what still needs to be done. But this week is different because so many people are off work that a week of eating leftover Christmas cookies, catching up of sewing projects, and indulging in daytime television are all perfectly fine ways to pass the time. I slept in until 9 a.m. yesterday, which is a huge milestone because Kevin was by my side. Neither one of us had to get up to entertain or feed a child. Both kids slept in and then did their own quiet thing - minus the time I thought Rocket was ringing a bell. It turns out, it wasn't Rocket daintily ringing a little silver bell with his pinkie in the air, waiting to be served, but he turned his alarm clock on by accident. (Him, "I turned it to 'no!'" Me under my breath, "Is he dyslexic? It's o-n, not n-o.")

Our Christmas decorations typically stay up until about Jan. 2, but this year, the boxes are out and much is packed away. I'm ready for 2012. The list of books on the side of this blog hasn't been neglected; those are the only books I read this year. So, so sad. I didn't even read one book a month, but I pledge to change that next year. We went to the library tonight, allowing me to get a head start. A little less time on Twitter, and a little more reading actual literature. Dream big.

This week my goal is lofty: the free myself from syndicated sitcoms that I have only just discovered, to set goals for 2012. I like to have a plan, and even more, I like one that involves procrastination. No guilt until Jan. 1, and that's a holiday (Sunday football day), which means Jan. 2 is really the start of my year. That gives me a few more days of playing video games and sleeping in. Tuesday is going to be hell.

UPDATE: I read a book! I purposefully picked the shortest book I grabbed at the library, to increase my chance of success. Within about two hours, the book was read, plus I added a book by my friend Lisa, which is awesome (I read it during winter break in February, but didn't write about it because I am not awesome, even though the book has sat right next to my monitor for 11 months, taunting me and making me feel guilty), leaving 12 books are on my sidebar, averaging one a month, and suddenly I am back in this reading game. Take that, illiteracy!

Cell Phones, Ollies, and Diego

I had the unfortunate experience of having to attend two funerals within a week. Here is what I learned from being surrounded many older people: they have cell phones; they turn up the volume on their cell phones so they can hear the ringer; they do not turn off cell phones or ringers, even in churches; when their cell phones ring in church, they either can't hear their cranked up ring or they believe that if they ignore it, it will end. Two funerals, three cell phones ringing, all belonging to old people. Not one was answered.

In other news, determined by what's on my iPhone:


My kids started skateboard camp. First, it was only Rocket, but when Clover saw his cute new skateboard, she developed a desire to ollie. This is the girl who is still scared of ice skating and bikes over 12 inches high, but we sighed, told her she'd have to stand on the skateboard not lie down, then forked over the money to add her to camp. Giant surprise: she loves it. She's no threat to Tony Hawk, but she's conquered a fear, which is especially awesome considering she is the only girl in a camp full of boys.

Kevin and I spent the day in San Francisco this weekend, walking around the Mission, stopping at Renegade Craft Fair, and loading up on pirate supplies. It was awesome.

Now I am experiencing the joy of listening to a nine year old dissect the intellectual gaps in Go Diego, Go! Clover: This is obvious! Duh! Did they have too little money for special effects? This is horrible! Obviously ice is slippery! Those bobos aren't really sorry, they just said they were sorry. First the blanket was on the llama's neck, then on her back, then on her neck. A llama can't move her own blanket, so how did it move? Are we supposed to believe this is magic? This is weird and stupid. Rocket (to everything said by his sister): Yeah! Oh holiday vacation, you test my patience.

Awesome Last Minute Gifts with a Wow Factor

Because Amazon Prime has been my best friend the past two weeks, I've mastered the art of the last minute gifts. Clover has a Kindle, which means I have a list of books ready to order the night of Christmas Eve, and there is always iTunes, because while Rocket has neither an iPod or iPad, he loves using ours, so much that he calls them "ours," casually adding himself to the mix of owners. But even without Amazon Prime or iTunes, there are still ways to get great gifts quick, while making it look like you put tons and tons of thought into it.

For mobile devices beginning with an i:

The Amazing Spider-man: An Origin Story. I put this on my iPhone to occupy Rocket during Clover's piano lessons and this not only had him enthralled, I was intently following along from the front seat. It's narrated by Stan Lee and the whole app is incredibly professional. I am so happy to have downloaded this, and Rocket asks for it all the time. It's currently at a special $4.99 price for the holidays and will return to $6.99 on Dec. 31.

Hard-bound, actually feel the paper books:

The Cult of Lego. This book is beloved by all ages of Lego-lovers. My kids love this book. We keep it out on an end table because it's beautiful, but also because people will pick it up and thumb threw it. Clover spent afternoons studying the book, remarking on the different scenes. At one point she said, "Look! Hahaha! Fy-dil Castro! Hahahaha!" When I asked why the picture was funny and how she knew Fidel Castro, she gave me this story of persecution and run ins with some person who she assumed I knew. When I asked about the person, she said, "You know! From..."

Spy vs. Spy. No surprise, Antonio Prohias was the guy who had some issues with Castro. Actually, it was more Castro had issues with Prohias. My kids both have the Spy vs. Spy anthologies and they love them. They've owned them for years, and they still read them again and again. (Rocket calls it "Spy vs. Spy vs. Spy," and I don't correct him because I think it's cute.)

The Manga Guide to Biochemistry. This may not sound like a great gift, unless you have a nerd child, and I do, so The Manga Guides are a great gift. Clover's a little on the young side for the series, but she still got something out of it. It's entertaining and makes a complicated subject much easier to understand, making a great book for a high school kid struggling with the subject in school or an eager young kid, like Clover.

Gifts for a baby that win points with the baby's mom:

Citrus Lane. I love this company and their quality products. It's a monthly subscription service, sending the loveliest gifts to the mom and baby each month. A short-term (even single) subscription is possible too. My nephew had his little monkey lovey with him the other day and after I commented on it, my sister told me it came from Citrus Lane. The boxes really make a fabulous gift.

Legos, for adults

Lego's Architecture line is perfect for adults who haven't quite let go of building with blocks. Kevin owns Fallingwater, and I'm surprised by the number of people who comment on it, because, yes, it is in our house, despite being purchased for display at work.

Stocking stuffers

Anything Lego, anything Nerf that shoots, Hexbugs, and even this year's surprise entry: school supplies. I heard that Santa went to the local teacher supply store and loaded up this week on metallic crayons, colored pencils, rulers, white paper, construction paper, and (this was bought in bulk from Costco) scotch tape.

 

Disclosure: The Spiderman app, The Cult of Lego, and The Manga Guide to Biochemistry were all given to me free for review. My kids loved them or else I would not be recommending them.

Kiwi Caipirinha, the CA Grown Fruit Makes it Good

Thank you to California Grown for encouraging me to connect with California growers and encouraging California consumers to "Choose California Grown" when they can.

I was told to expect a box of kiwis, but when I opened the door to see two crates awaiting me, I was surprisingly excited. They were adorable, full of so much potential, and fresh from the farm up in Gridley.

My kids both love kiwis, even picky Clover loves the sweet, sometimes tart taste of kiwis, so it's a regular staple in our house during their growing season. The odd thing is I never had a kiwi as a child, in fact when I was first offered one in college (!), I didn't know what to do with it (again - !). Now, I peel them, slice them, and put them out on a plate for a snack or I toss one into the blender with frozen strawberries and orange juice for a smoothie. But two boxes of kiwis called for something more exciting.

First, I opened the boxes up to let the kiwis ripen. Normally I buy kiwis fairly soft at the store because the kids will want to eat them as soon as they see them. But, like an avocado, if I need them for a later event, I buy a still hardened kiwi. For a fast ripening, they can be placed in a paper bag with a few apples (same trick works for avocados).

The boxed kiwis ripened just in time: this is my snack week for my son's class. I think I brought in 17 kiwis yesterday, enough for one per kid. Yay me!

Second, once ripe, I decided to make one of my favorite kiwi cocktails: a kiwi caipirinha.

Third, I took out the potato peeler and peels two kiwis. Many people cut the kiwis in half and scoop out the green kiwi meat, but I like my potato peeler method.

Finally, I made the drink because nothing says Christmas like a green cocktail.

The kiwi caipirinha is a cachaça-based drink that was printed in Sunset magazine, and if you're familar with cachaça, you know that a little goes a long way...toward knocking you out. Maybe I'm a wimp, but I've toned down the Sunset version to add a little more lime and kiwi to balance out the super strong alcohol.

My version:

Kiwi Caipirinha

• 1+ limes (start with one, keep extra on hand if needed for taste or as garnish)
• 2-3 kiwis
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup cachaça

1. Juice the limes into a glass
2. peel and slice the kiwi, adding to the lime juice
3. muddle them up
4. add sugar and muddle some more
5. add cinchaca and ice
6. stir and taste

Taste! Do not serve yet because this is when you decide if a pinch more sugar is needed, maybe more kiwi or a squeeze more lime. Once set, pour into two glasses and serve. I've also made a pitcher of these before because they're good and they're different, making it something people want to try. It was our Superbowl 2011 drink and has since become a regular feature during kiwi season.

If cachaça is not your thing, this kiwi mint lemonade sounds heavenly.

My cousins are orange growers in Central California and because of that, I've always had a sense of pride of how much various agriculture is grown in Califonia and I always check the labels on my fruit. When I was younger, it was to see if the oranges in the grocery store came from my cousins' farm, but as I got older and had kids, it was for a different reason. Buying fruit and vegetables grown in California means it travels less to get to me, is fresher, and there is a reassurance knowing the controls placed on California agriculture protecting us from the uncertainty that comes with less regulated foreign produce.

Oranges - indirectly - paid to put me through college. Farmers have families and employees, which is no surprise, but there are communities built around the local agriculture industry. To support a farm is more than supporting one person or one family's business, it's supporting a greater infrastructure. I like to take the kids to the farmer's market to see the farmers or their families selling what they grow. It gives my kids a story behind what's on their plates.

I loved that when my beautiful kiwis arrived, I didn't know anything about Gridley, but I looked online and not only found where the kiwis came from, but I learned about the family who grew them (and I got to see a kiwi orchard too). My kiwis were grown by the Kullar family, and I love that Jasbir Singh Kullar, the father and farm-founder, immigrated from India and worked a migrant farmer worker before starting his own farm that has grown from 1.5 acres to over 300 acres and various facilities.

Easily, 95% of the produce my family consumes come from California. I can say that with certainty because predominantly we buy locally grown food, and when at the store, I take the time to look at the labels for CA Grown. In addition, our grocery store often lists the originating town on the sign displaying the food price, but if the signs aren't there, it's easy to ask where the produce was grown. I am so proud to support the Kullars and other California farmers.

Thank you again to California Grown for sponsoring this blog post. Please click here to learn more about all of California Grown growers. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions are my own. #CleverCAGrown #spon

Moms Night In: The Cocktails and Sugar Cookies Excuse

Thanks to Duncan Hines for sponsoring my writing. There's no limit to the baking possibilities, so grab your favorite Duncan Hines mix and Comstock or Wilderness fruit fillings and Bake On! www.duncanhines.com

The holiday season is my favorite time of year for many reasons, one of which is that it's the one time when a cocktail and sugar cookies make an acceptable dinner.

I've always wanted to do a cookie exchange, but why ruin a perfectly good night in with friends by adding competition to the mix? I'd go insane trying to make the best cookie, then I'd be annoyed by having to take home something with nuts that looks like it rolled around in the back of a minivan. One year I knocked myself out trying to make red and white swirled cookies rolled in colorful sprinkles, but as the cookies expanded in the oven, the swirl unraveled on some of the cookies, leaving me with a few that resembled the gorgeous ones in the magazine, and a handful fit for only my children. The same goes for a white elephant party where one person leaves feeling robbed. I prefer get togethers that are warm, relaxed, and without an agenda.

Instead of a cookie exchange or a white elephant party, a casual moms night in is the better way to go. There's cheese and crackers, dips and veggies, at least one great cocktail, and a variety of desserts because everyone will bring one without being asked. My go-to winter cocktail is presecco, pomegrante or cranberry juice, and a squeeze of lime. It's fruity, bubbly, light, and oh so yummy. Best of all, it works with sugar cookies.

For heartier desserts or to warm up on a cold nights when kicking it old school, a Coffee Royale (decaf!), which is what my grandmother would serve at some of her parties, perfect for dipping biscotti.

While many people are traveling and busy leading up to the holidays, the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve is a surprisingly good time to get mom friends together. Many people are at home, but with work usually on hold and kids out of school, friends seem eager for a night out to reconnect. The stress is off after Christmas and get-togethers have a much more relaxed feel. I already have one moms get together on the calendar with the menu of chips, salsa, and a cranberry margarita. That is holiday bliss.

Remember to check out Duncan Hines' website www.duncanhines.com to find some great recipes for your holiday get-together! I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective.

Reframing the Season

Behind me, my kids are playing some sort of school or dysfunctional family, which requires picking new names. Clover said, "Let's pick places for names because some people do that. My name is Pakistan, short for Pakistanley."

A Hug to Start December

Wouldn't you know, after spending yesterday writing about my Grinchy attitude toward gratitude, the first photo prompt of December is gratitude. I cannot win. I thought about being grateful for being warm and inside on a blustery day (maybe a picture of Winnie the Pooh in the leaves?) or thankful for the hard workout at the gym (maybe a photo of my shoes?), it came down to late in the evening, in the dark, when Rocket came to hug and kiss me goodnight. While this kid can raise my blood pressure with minimal effort on his part, hugging him is the best antidote. It's my favorite.

He hugged me in my office, while I was working, but didn't want to stay around for me to take a photo. I had to find him, already in bed, with my iPhone for a quick shot. It was dark, so the photo is grainy and blurred, but the upside is that I got an extra hug.